Ballintubber traditional musician to take part in prestigious competition

ONE of the top young traditional musicians in Mayo will be among just 15 flute players in Ireland competing for the prestigious Seán Ó Riada Gold Medal Flute competition this Friday.

Ballintubber native Molly Pittendrigh, who already as All-Ireland, Connacht and Mayo titles, will travel to Cork to showcase her talents at the competition, which only runs for flautists once every four years.

The seventeen-year-old will be among one of the youngest competitors at the competition, which will take place at the Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork. 

The last Mayo woman to win the competition was Louisburgh native Gillian O'Malley. 

Playing and performing from the age of eight, Molly has won many first place Mayo and Connacht titles on the concert flute and tin whistle over the years.

One of Molly's proudest achievements was winning first place at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann Under-18 flute and whistle in 2022.

The seventeen-year-old is also involved in performing in her Grúpa Ceoil, the Rolling Waves and Siansa Gael Linn Competitions, who have also been very successful.

Molly performs at a wide range of traditional Irish music events and loves to play in sessions all around County Mayo, mainly in Castlebar, Foxford, Westport, and Doohoma in Erris.

The Seán Ó Riada Gold Medal Flute competition will be broadcast live an Radio na Gaeltacht and on social media.